Alphonse J. Skip Homicz Legacy Award Informational Document 2024 (002).pdf
Alphonse J Skip Homicz Jr Legacy Award Application Form-June 2024.pdf
For Immediate Release
Contact Chris Dugan
(603) 391-4703
Honoring A Public Health Champion
The NH Oral Health Coalition Establishes The Alphonse J. “Skip” Homicz Jr. Legacy Award
Concord, NH: (February 20, 2024) In recognition of his enduring role as an advocate for oral health, the NH Oral Health Coalition (NHOHC) is pleased to announce the formation of the Alphonse J. “Skip” Homicz Jr. Legacy Award. The award honors the late Dr. Skip Homicz, who passed away in 2023. “Skip was a tireless champion for the underserved in our state,” said Helen B. Taft, Board Member for the NH Oral Health Coalition. “He was a widely respected and recognized general dentist and an oral health advocate for over 50 years. We are thrilled to establish this honor in his memory.”
Taft went on to say that for its inaugural year, NHOHC’s award committee unanimously selected Dr. Homicz to receive the first award post humorously. The initial award was presented to his family during a special ceremony at the Coalition’s annual meeting.
Dr. Homicz was a past President of the NH Dental Society, a founding member of the NH Oral Health Coalition, and served as the Chair of its Steering Committee for many years. After he retired from private practice he served as the volunteer Dental Director of Families First Health and Support Center in Portsmouth, NH for fifteen years. Under his leadership Families First opened a dental center for the community. Later Dr. Homicz led the organization’s expansion of dental services for individuals experiencing homelessness through a mobile health program.
“The award honors Dr. Homicz’s legacy and passionate commitment to improving the oral health of populations most in need of care,” said Gail Brown, Executive Director of the NH Oral Health Coalition. “Going forward, its goal is to recognize an individual or a NH Nonprofit organization each year that best demonstrates and exemplifies Skip’s commitment to increasing access to oral health in their community and/or the state. It creates an award process that ensures his legacy lives on.”
Brown added that the 2024 award honoree will be announced at the Coalition’s annual meeting in December. For more information about this award, or to nominate an individual or organization, please visit us at: www.NHOralHealth.org
About the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition
The Coalition’s mission is to advance and promote oral health for the people of New Hampshire, and we continuously look for opportunities to engage and educate stakeholders on the link between oral health and overall health. It is the vision of the Coalition that through improved oral health, the people of New Hampshire will have enhanced quality of life and opportunity.
Learn more at: www.NHOralHealth.org
News Release -August 3, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact
Chris Dugan-NH Oral Health Coalition
(603) 391-4703
Peak Performance
Public Water Systems Recognized For High Quality
Concord, NH: (August 3, 2023) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are pleased to recognize NH Public Water Systems with the 2021 Water Fluoridation Quality Awards.
“This award recognizes those public water systems that adjust the fluoride concentration in drinking water and achieve a monthly average fluoride level that is in the optimal range for 12 consecutive months in a year, as documented in the Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS),” said Gail Brown, JD, MSW, Executive Director of the NH Oral Health Coalition. Brown went on to say that WFRS is a national health surveillance tool that assists states in managing their water fluoridation program. CDC initiated the Water Fluoridation Quality Awards in 2002 to recognize outstanding performance in fluoridation management by public water systems.
The systems recognized in New Hampshire include:
Concord
Dover
Hanover
Lancaster
Laconia
Lebanon
Manchester
Portsmouth
Rochester
According to Laural Dillon, MPH, M.Ed, RDA Oral Health Program Manager -State of New Hampshire, 34 states have had at least one public water system in their state receive the award in the past four years. In the calendar year 2021, there were 1,394 adjusted systems in 28 states recognized by CDC. “Hard-working water quality professionals across the state play a critical role in ensuring public health,” she said. “We are excited to partner with the NH Oral Health Coalition on this great project and recognize the great work of the water system professionals.”
Water utilities and their customers value the ability to demonstrate quality service, Brown said. “There are several award programs related to drinking water, including those conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Water Works Association, and state drinking water programs,” she added.
Dillon added that representatives from the state of NH and Oral Health Coalition visited each water location being awarded to meet with local teams and in some instances, tour water facilities. “To see the systems up close and understand the commitment and expertise from each team is inspiring,” she said.
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About the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition
The Coalition’s mission is to advance and promote oral health for the people of New Hampshire, and we continuously look for opportunities to engage and educate stakeholders on the link between oral health and overall health. It is the vision of the Coalition that through improved oral health, the people of New Hampshire will have enhanced quality of life and opportunity.
Learn more at: https://nhoralhealth.org/
NEW Private Practice Dentists State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP-PPD)
As part of the State of NH’s efforts to expand access to dentists in the areas most needed, the State Loan Repayment Program is piloting a new loan repayment program exclusively for private practice dentists – the Private Practice Dentists State Loan Repayment Program, or SLRP-PPD. Find out more…
The DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement, the DentaQuest Foundation, and the DentaQuest Institute have become the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a nonprofit committed to building a future in which equitable systems promote excellent health, allowing people everywhere to reach their full potential. The expanded nonprofit is equipped with a robust portfolio, including grantmaking, health improvement programs, advocacy, and more so they can be laser-focused on building a future where oral health and overall health are equitable for all.
